What it is: This listing is a plant sold as Homalomena Selby.

Light: Homalomenas prefer partial shade and dappled light (NC State Extension): bright, indirect light near an east or north window, or set back from a sunnier one, suits them. Keep them out of hot direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Golden types keep their brightest colour with good light. A grow bulb in a lamp helps through our dark winters.

Watering & care: Use a well-drained potting mix and water when the top few centimetres have dried. Avoid overwatering and give it good air circulation, since soggy conditions can lead to rot (NC State Extension).

Humidity: Homalomenas need increased humidity (NC State Extension). In dry Alberta winters, run a humidifier or set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles; dry air also makes spider mites, scale and mealybugs more likely (NC State Extension).

Temperature: Keep it in ordinary warm room temperatures, away from cold drafts, frosty windows and heat vents.

Winter indoors: In winter, water a little less often, raise the humidity, and keep it off cold glass in your brightest indirect-light spot.

Expected indoor size: Homalomenas are clumping, upright plants; NC State Extension lists them for spaces about 30 cm–0.9 m (1–3 ft) across. How large yours gets depends on light, pot size and care.

Feeding: Feed with our Schultz All Purpose Plant Food about once a month from March to September; stop in winter.

Pets & pests: Toxic: NC State Extension lists Homalomena as toxic to pets and people (medium severity) because of calcium oxalate crystals; chewing causes mouth burning, drooling, difficulty swallowing and vomiting, and touching the sap may irritate skin. Keep it out of reach of pets and children. Watch for spider mites, scale and mealybugs, especially in dry air (NC State Extension).

About your plant: Every plant is a little different. Size, fullness, leaf count and variegation or colouring vary from plant to plant and change with age and light, so we can't promise a particular height, leaf count, leaf size or leaf colour and pattern. The size option (4", 6") refers to the pot diameter or listed container. It does not guarantee an exact plant height or leaf count. We don't have our own photos of this plant yet. The gallery image is a shared Homalomena graphic for inspiration only; it does not show this plant.